Real Time In-Ear Coaching Vesna Belogaska European Development Manager Contact us t: +44 (0)8453 038 578 e: info@irisconnect.co.uk w: www.irisconnect.co.uk t: @IRIS_Connect

Introduction and Objectives Agenda Introduction and Objectives Research Background and rationale for the study into Real Time In-Ear Coaching Key Findings Innovations in Professional Development: Real Time In-Ear Coaching (MirandaNet Fellowship) What next? Discussion Abstract   Insight Group 3: Building professional capital: using web-enabled video technology for reflective practice, coaching and collaboration. Among the many factors that contribute to a student’s academic performance, research suggests that the quality of the teaching has the greatest impact on student achievement. Given the importance of teaching quality, there is an increasing focus around the world on identifying teacher professional development activities that have a real impact. As a result of an increasing body of anecdotal and research evidence, there is a rising interest in real time in-ear coaching as a form of teacher professional development. IRIS Connect’s own case studies suggest that this approach can lead to dramatic and powerful improvements in teacher behaviours and their practice. This inspired the qualitative study by MirandaNet into the contexts in which in-ear coaching is effective, involving a small number of teachers and coaches who have used the IRIS Connect professional development platform and integrated video technology as a facilitator in this method of professional development. In this session we will share the initial findings of this qualitative study and delve into the attendees’ perspective on this method and ideas for further research to consolidate what has been learnt here.

IRIS Connect: Research background Inspired by research University of Sussex Utah State University Used as a resource in research Harvard University VIA University College Subject of a research Education Endowment Foundation University of Cambridge Effective Teacher Professional Development

Teachers matter most

Teacher Professional Learning

Rationale for the study into Real time In-ear coaching Anecdotal Evidence Case Studies Initial research Working with our community of over 40,000 users we have come across increasing anecdotal evidence about the power of coaching, and in-ear coaching in particular: there seems to be a significant impact on improving teachers’ performance and impact on students within a short period of time. We have created some case studies but we really wanted academic research into why is this method so effective, what are the pre-conditions for it, any draw backs, is it replicable and sustainable over time. We have commissioned MirandaNet Fellowship to conduct an initial study into this method. Coaching has emerged from a synthesis of many fields including training, adult learning, consulting, change management, the human potential movement, psychology and systems science. (David Rock, interview with Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D: current findings about the neuroscience of attention, insight, reflection and action.

First stage MirandaNet Fellowship quantitative research into web based video PD 94% of teachers using IRIS Connect say their teaching has improved 88% say their confidence has risen 88% feel there has been a positive impact on collaboration 96% feel they are willing to take more risks 99% feel there are more conversations between teachers about teaching

Real Time In-ear Coaching in Action https://vimeo.com/84907625

Key Questions In what ways is this CPD method of real time in-ear coaching effective?
 What are the pre-conditions for this method to be effective? What is the impact on learning over time for teachers and pupils?
 Can in-ear coaching be disruptive? Is an in-ear coaching programme replicable and sustainable over time? https://vimeo.com/84907625

MirandaNet second stage Qualitative methodology To identify potential questions Advice sought from international academics in the field Literature search Structured interviews Free answer section/critical incidents 6 Coachees and coaches Data Collection Grounded theme analysis techniques Involvement of interviewees as co-researchers Involvement of an expert IRIS Connect representative Data Analysis Literature search to identify potential questions Advice sought from international academics in the field (US and Australia) Data collection method was to use structured interviews plus a free answer section with an emphasis on ‘critical incidents’ Selection of a range of 6 coachees and coaches who were in sustained programmes of in-ear coaching Analysis of the data using grounded theme analysis techniques because this is an emergent area Involvement of the interviewees in the analysis as co-researchers Involvement of an expert IRIS representative in the analysis.

Critical incidents or anecdotes Good teaching Bad teaching Bad coaching Good coaching In-ear coaching

“ In-ear coaching is not a magic bullet. It is effective over time in changing teaching techniques permanently, but will not work unless the teachers concentrate on noticing their behaviour in their own time. They must be prepared to work on their performance. Mike Fleetham, Educational Consultant, The Thinking Classrroom ”

“ In-ear coaching actually saved my teaching career. I advise everyone to do it if they want to improve their professional learning and be confident. James Ediker, Teacher, Slough Primary School ”

“ With In-ear coaching, teaching plans (lesson plans) stop being about delivering lesson content and become about the best ways of teaching learners. ”

“ We find the platform is an essential element of this spread and sharing across the schools in the academy. The volume of sharing is amazing. We did not expect this change.  ”

“ In-ear coaching has a more sustainable impact than other methods. The impact I am seeing is that behaviour, thinking and language changes sustainably because of some well-timed comments from someone else. Mike Fleetham, Educational Consultant, The Thinking Classrroom ”

Further research - where do we go from here?

European Development Manager Thank you Vesna Belogaska European Development Manager vesna@irisconnect.co.uk Contact us t: +44 (0)8453 038 578 e: info@irisconnect.co.uk w: www.irisconnect.co.uk t: @IRIS_Connect